Disney’s $270M Snow White Remake: A Historic Flop That Redefines Failure

In the annals of Hollywood, few studios have enjoyed the consistent success of Walt Disney Studios, a powerhouse known for transforming animated classics into cultural touchstones. Yet, even the House of Mouse is not immune to missteps, and its 2025 live-action remake of Snow White has emerged as a spectacular example. With a staggering $270 million production budget, the film was poised to be a cornerstone of Disney’s live-action remake strategy. Instead, it has been widely panned, earning a record-low rating on IMDb and failing to recoup even half its budget at the box office. Labeled by some as one of the worst movies ever made, Snow White’s collapse has sparked intense debate about Disney’s creative direction, audience expectations, and the risks of reimagining beloved classics. This article unpacks the film’s troubled journey, from its ambitious inception to its catastrophic reception, and explores what it means for Disney’s future.

The Promise of a Reimagined Classic

Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) holds a hallowed place in cinematic history as the studio’s first animated feature and a groundbreaking achievement in animation. Its timeless story, drawn from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, follows a young princess who finds refuge with seven dwarfs while evading her wicked stepmother. The original film’s success cemented Disney’s reputation, making a live-action remake an enticing prospect. Since the 2010s, Disney has leaned heavily into live-action adaptations, with hits like The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017) grossing over $1 billion each. By 2025, however, audience fatigue with remakes was evident, and Snow White faced an uphill battle from the start.

The remake, directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, aimed to modernize the classic. Zegler, a rising star from West Side Story (2021), was cast to bring a fresh, empowered take on the princess, while Gadot’s commanding presence promised a formidable villain. The film’s $270 million budget—among the highest for a Disney remake—reflected lavish production values, including intricate CGI for the dwarfs and sprawling sets. Disney hoped to replicate the success of earlier remakes, banking on nostalgia and Zegler’s appeal to younger audiences. Yet, as production progressed, cracks began to appear.

A Storm of Pre-Release Controversies

Before its March 21, 2025, release, Snow White was embroiled in controversies that set the stage for its downfall. The decision to cast Zegler, a Latina actress, as Snow White sparked polarized reactions. Some praised the inclusive casting, seeing it as a step toward diversity in Disney’s princess lineup. Others, particularly vocal online communities, argued it deviated from the character’s traditional depiction, igniting debates about fidelity to the 1937 film. These discussions were amplified by broader cultural tensions, with some critics dubbing the film “Snow Woke” for its perceived progressive agenda.

The film’s reimagining of the seven dwarfs further fueled backlash. Instead of traditional dwarfs, the remake introduced a group of diverse, magically inclined companions, rendered via CGI to avoid perpetuating outdated stereotypes. While the intent was to modernize the story, many fans felt this erased a core element of the original, accusing Disney of prioritizing politics over storytelling. Additionally, Zegler’s public comments about updating Snow White’s narrative—emphasizing empowerment over romance—drew scrutiny. Her remarks, combined with Gadot’s differing political stances, added a layer of off-screen tension, as their contrasting views on global issues became fodder for social media debates.

Production challenges also plagued the project. The $270 million budget ballooned due to extensive reshoots and complex visual effects, with reports suggesting costs neared $400 million when marketing was included. Disney’s decision to push forward despite early warning signs, such as lukewarm test screenings, reflected a gamble on the studio’s brand strength. By the time Snow White hit theaters, it was already a lightning rod for criticism, with online platforms like X buzzing with skepticism.

A Catastrophic Reception

When Snow White premiered, the response was brutal. The film earned a 1.6/10 on IMDb, based on over 200,000 user ratings, making it one of the lowest-rated major releases ever. Notably, 90% of these ratings gave the film a 1/10, prompting IMDb to flag the score for potential review bombing, where users deliberately tank a film’s rating for ideological reasons. While review bombing may have skewed the score, the sentiment was clear: audiences were unimpressed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film fared slightly better, with a 42% critic score, though audience metrics echoed the IMDb disaster.

Box office returns were equally dismal. Against its $270 million budget, Snow White grossed just $94.7 million in its opening week, with a mere $3.5 million from Thursday previews. By May 2025, global earnings reached approximately $204.8 million, far short of the $600 million needed to break even, factoring in marketing and theater revenue splits. The film’s weak performance was attributed to poor word-of-mouth, competition from other releases like Minecraft, and a general decline in interest for live-action remakes. Disney’s hope that Snow White would gain traction before hitting Disney+ was dashed, marking it as one of the studio’s biggest financial flops.

Critically, the film received mixed feedback. Some reviewers praised Zegler’s charismatic performance and the film’s lush visuals, noting that her singing and emotional depth were highlights. Others, however, criticized the screenplay for muddling the original’s simplicity, with subplots about Snow White’s leadership feeling forced. The CGI dwarfs were a frequent target, described as uncanny and disconnected from the story’s heart. Gadot’s Evil Queen, while menacing, was underutilized, with her arc overshadowed by the film’s focus on modernization. Overall, the consensus was that Snow White failed to balance respect for its source material with meaningful innovation.

Why Did Snow White Fail?

The collapse of Snow White can be traced to multiple factors. First, Disney underestimated audience fatigue with live-action remakes. After successes like Aladdin (2019), recent remakes such as Mulan (2020) and Pinocchio (2022) underperformed, signaling a shift in viewer priorities. Audiences craved original stories or faithful adaptations, not rehashes with heavy-handed updates. Snow White’s radical changes—altering the dwarfs and downplaying the romance—alienated fans who cherished the 1937 classic.

Second, the film’s controversies amplified its challenges. The casting debates and “woke” accusations, while rooted in broader cultural divides, overshadowed the film’s merits. Social media platforms, particularly X, became battlegrounds for ideological arguments, with some users celebrating the film’s failure as a rejection of Disney’s progressive pivot. While Zegler’s performance was a bright spot, her association with the controversy made her a lightning rod, despite her talent.

Third, Disney’s financial miscalculation was glaring. The $270 million budget, driven by ambitious production and marketing, set an unrealistic bar for success. Historical flops like John Carter (2012), which lost $255 million, and The Lone Ranger (2013), which cost Disney $200 million, underscore the risks of bloated budgets. Snow White joins this ignominious list, with estimates suggesting a $115–150 million loss. The decision to release during a competitive spring season, rather than a holiday window, further hampered its chances.

Disney’s Broader Struggles

The Snow White debacle is part of a larger pattern of struggles for Disney. In 2023, the studio faced a “historically rough” year, with seven of eight theatrical releases underperforming, including Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ($400 million gross against a $300 million budget) and The Marvels (a rare MCU flop). Recent animated films like Strange World (2022) and Elemental (2023) also disappointed, suggesting a disconnect with audiences. The live-action remake strategy, once a cash cow, has lost its luster, with Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) receiving middling reviews.

Disney’s reliance on intellectual property has backfired as audiences grow weary of recycled content. The studio’s pivot to “woke” storytelling, while appealing to some, has alienated others, creating a polarized fanbase. Financially, Disney is under pressure, with its stock impacted by box office losses and streaming wars. The Snow White flop has intensified calls for a strategic reset, with some analysts urging a return to original storytelling or more faithful adaptations.

What’s Next for Disney?

The fallout from Snow White poses critical questions for Disney’s future. The studio must reassess its live-action remake pipeline, with projects like Lilo & Stitch and Hercules in development. Scaling back budgets and prioritizing audience resonance could mitigate risks. Embracing original films, as seen with Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (2024), or leaning into animated sequels like Moana 2 (2024), may offer a safer path.

For Snow White, a Disney+ release might salvage some viewership, though its reputation as a flop is cemented. The film’s failure underscores the delicate balance of honoring legacy while innovating. Disney’s ability to learn from this misstep—by listening to fans, managing budgets, and navigating cultural sensitivities—will shape its next century.

As the dust settles, Snow White stands as a cautionary tale of ambition gone awry. Its $270 million price tag and historic low ratings have etched it into Hollywood’s hall of infamy, sparking conversations about creativity, commerce, and the enduring power of a fairy tale. For Disney, the path forward lies in rediscovering the magic that once made it untouchable.